SOUTH MIAMI-DADE, FLA. (WSVN) - Authorities have taken a man into custody hours after, they said, he opened fire at park rangers at Everglades National Park in South Miami-Dade and fled.
Multiple federal, state and local law enforcement agencies responded to the park, Sunday night.
According to the National Park Service, the subject fired at park rangers “unprovoked” and took off after the rangers responded to a domestic violence call.
No injuries were reported.
Speaking with 7News over the phone, park visitor Alvaro Vargas said he heard gunfire.
“We did hear some gunshots. We don’t know if that came from the police or that it came from the guy that is armed,” he said, “but there were quite a few shots that we heard.”
Suspect has been located and is in custody. Incident has been resolved. Press release to follow soon. Please continue to avoid the area.
— Everglades National Park (@EvergladesNPS) March 29, 2021
Vargas said he went fishing with a friend at the park, early Sunday morning. As they started to leave, at around 7:15 p.m., he was told to go back, and as of 9 p.m., they were stuck in a line of traffic.
Officials shut down State Road 9336 in an effort to keep the public safe.
“Everybody was outside their cars, so I approached them to try and find out what’s going on, and they said that it appears there’s a manhunt going on for a guy that is armed,” he said.
Vargas snapped pictures of the backed up traffic and a Miami-Dade Police helicopter hovering above the park.
Investigators advised visitors and residents in the Flamingo area to shelter in place while they searched for the gunman.
Just after 9 p.m., officials confirmed they had taken the subject into custody. They described him as a 33-year-old man with long hair.
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